From simple objects produced in homage to the Gurus to fine
pieces created at the royal courts of Punjab, the Sikh material
heritage forms an important part of humankind's heritage. Since
the time of the Gurus, Sikhs have produced or patronized objects
of all types, some of extremely high quality and others intended
for daily use.

Extant collections of Sikh heritage material include lavishly
illustrated manuscripts produced at eighteenth- and nineteenth-century
royal courts, gilded arms and armor, paintings and fine jewelry.
Some examples of the handwriting of the Sikh Gurus themselves
are also in existence. Other less artistically accomplished
but no less important objects, such as religious and historical
manuscripts and objects for everyday use also exist.

The
Dangers

Unfortunately, the Sikh material heritage is in general far
from well protected. In addition to the loss and damage caused
by past calamities, surviving heritage objects often remain
in danger even today. Many are poorly protected from climatic
conditions and general decay, while others are in danger from
custodial neglect. Most objects in public and private collections
in India have not been catalogued or documented, while others
in Pakistan, the UK, Europe and the United States remain unknown.

Experts estimate that the majority of Sikh heritage objects
no longer survive. Sikh history has been turbulent and traumatic,
and the mass destruction of objects caused during the past
has been added to by neglect and the willful destruction of
historic buildings and scriptural manuscripts by Sikh authorities.
In the past few years alone, a number of important gurdwaras
have been demolished and important manuscripts of the scriptures
have gone missing or been destroyed.

Most of the Sikh heritage has already disappeared or been
destroyed. Something must be done now.

Objectives

The Sikh Heritage Foundation aims to preserve and promote
Sikh cultural heritage, wherever it may be. It seeks in particular
to

Document and record material items of
Sikh heritage, wherever they may be.

Present
and promote Sikh heritage to American audiences, both Sikh
and non-Sikh, through collaborative projects with American
museums, libraries and other institutions.

Make
information on Sikh heritage objects and collections available
to the public, both in book form and via digital and electronic.

Increase
awareness of and access to the technology needed to preserved
endangered Sikh heritage objects in India.

Enable
American institutions to increase their collections of Sikh
material by acquiring legally well-provenanced heritage objects
available in American and European art markets.

The
Sikh Heritage Foundation

The Sikh Heritage Foundation was founded in 2000 by a group
of Sikh-Americans concerned with preserving Sikh heritage
and presenting it to American audiences, both Sikh and non-Sikh.
The Foundation maintains its commitment to promoting Sikh
heritage through activities in America and around the world.

The Foundation's first project is to assist the Smithsonian
Institution's National Museum of Natural History (www.mnh.si.edu) with
its upcoming installation of a small exhibition on Sikh heritage
in the Museum's prominently located Hall of Asian Peoples,
along with a concurrent web exhibit. Planning for the exhibition
began in December 2000. It is hoped that the Punjab Government
will loan a number of objects from its museum and archival
collections to be conserved and placed on display before being
returned to India.

Projects envisioned for the future include collaborations
with other American institutions, the cataloguing of private
collections in India, the microfilming of endangered manuscripts
in India and Pakistan and the production of illustrated catalogues
of collections in India and abroad.